Sony Licenses Eye IO Compression Technology for 4K Content

Palo Alto, Calif.-based technology company Eye IO has licensed its 4K Ultra HD technology to Sony Pictures, helping the studio deliver 4K content to the home for the first time.

“We are honored to play an integral part in the first commercial, worldwide use of 4K Ultra HD with Sony Pictures,” said Rodolfo Vargas, CEO of Eye IO. “We are confident that Eye IO’s capabilities are perfectly matched with Sony’s commitment to high-quality viewing experiences as well as creating and delivering captivating content to enhance the viewing experience of audiences everywhere.”

Owners of Sony Electronics’ 4K Ultra HD TVs will be able to access 4K movies directly via Sony 4K media players, available this summer. Eye IO’s technology compresses and encodes the 4K files into a more manageable format, the company said.

“From the cinema to the home, Sony Pictures Technologies strives to deliver the audience an experience that is as close as possible to the filmmaker’s original vision,” said Chris Cookson, president of Sony Pictures Technologies. “Eye IO’s technology makes it practical to deliver movies to the home in unprecedented 4K quality, and we are proud to partner with them on this groundbreaking launch.”

4K, or Ultra HD, denotes a resolution of 3840x2160 — four times the quality of current HDTVs.

Sony films available in 4K this summer include Bad Teacher, Battle: Los Angeles, The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Karate Kid (2010), Salt, Taxi Driver, That's My Boy, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Other Guys and Total Recall (2012).